Joie Chitwood

Joie Chitwood. Copyright, Lynn Matthews, 2018. Used with permission.

Born:

14 Apr 1912Denison, Texas

Died:

03 Jan 1988Tampa Bay, Florida

Nationality:

United States

Grands Prix:

1 (1950)

Indy 500s:

7 (1940-1950)

Chitwood became a millionaire through performing and then organising stunt car shows. His grandson, Joie III, later became the Indianapolis Motor Speedway President. Chitwood, real name, George, starting racing in 1935 and proved very adept, winning the 1939 and 1940 AAA East Coast sprint car championship. Chitwood, in 1941, became the first man to wear a seat-belt in Indianapolis 500 history. He was honoured, due to his devotion to the sport, by many clubs and associations in America for many years.